This painting testifies to the pictorial evolution of the famous portrait artist Frans Hals, who lived in Haarlem, in the Netherlands.
The painter, then aged fifty, was in fact at the height of his glory. He is mostly known for his large number of realistic portraits. As you can see, there is something very spontaneous about this young, bright-eyed and mischievous man of 26, with just a hint of a smile, his hand placed on his heart in an eloquent gesture. Is he a young rich man from Haarlem who is about to marry? In fact, it was very common at that time for a man to offer a likeness of himself to his betrothed. The artist’s unequalled virtuosity eliminates any superfluous details, illuminating the model’s face and making it appear extremely natural.
Notice how Hals has painted a vein on the model's forehead with one single green-coloured brushstroke, characteristic of the painter’s sharp and lively style. The bright lighting vigorously shapes the features and illuminates the ground, softening the volume of his face. All of these stylistic techniques intensify the model’s character and personality. Iconic and yet intimate, through the sharpness of his expression this portrait reveals a lively, intelligent, generous and upstanding man.